L^tJirum.l XXX. ltthrace^. 149 



3. M. alterniflorum D C. (alternate-flowered TT.) ;^ sterile 

 flowers mostly alternate on an erect leafless spike, fertile ones 

 1--4 in tlie axils of pectinated leaves at the base of the spike. 

 E. B. S. t. 2854. 



Ponds and ditches in many places, in England, Jersey, and Scot- 

 land. %, 5 — 8. — Very near the preceding, it must be confessed, 

 or, as it were, intermediate between it and M. verticillatum. Dr. Brom- 

 field considers the leaves to be always 3 in a whorl, not 4; but they 

 are not so represented in E. Bot Spikes drooping when in bud. 



Ord. XXX. LYTHRACE^ Juss. 



Calyx of 1 piece, free, persistent, the lobes varying in num- 

 ber valvate or distant in aestivation, often with intermediate 

 teeth. Petals inserted upon the calyx between its lobes, cadu- 

 cous, sometimes 0. Stamens inserted within the tube of the 

 calyx, equal to, or double or triple the number of petals. Ovary 

 1, superior. Style 1 ; stigma usually capitate. Capsule mem- 

 branous, 2 — 4-celled, opening longitudinally or irregularly. 

 Seeds numerous, without albumen^ on an axile placenta. 

 Herbs, with usually opposite leaves^ without stipules: flowers 

 axillary or racemose or spiked. — Properties astringent. Henna 

 of Egypt is extracted from Lawsonia inermis, 



1. Lythrum, Calyx tubular. 



2. Peplis. Calyx campunulate. 



^ 



L Lythuum Linn, Purple-Loosestrife. 



CaL inferior, tubular, with 8 — 12 teeth, the alternate ones 

 subulate. Petals 4 — 6. Stam. as many as, or twice as many 

 as the petals. Style filiform. Capsule 2-celled. — Name, XvQpov^ 

 bloody — it is said from the red colour of the flowers- 



1. L. Salicdria L. (spiked P.) ; leaves opposite lanceolate 

 cordate at the base, flowers in whorled leafy spikes with 12 

 stamens, bracts none. E. -B. t. 1061. 



_ Watery and marshy places, frequent. %. 7 — 9. — Stems 2 — 3 ft. 

 high, erect, 4-sided. Spikes very long, of beautiful purple Jiowers, 

 Cal. striate, the subulate teeth twice as long as the others. Pet, 

 oblong, cuneiform. Stam, 6 long and 6 short. Style varying in length. 



2. L. hyssopifolium L. (hyssop-leaved P.) ; leaves mostly al- 

 ternate linear-lanceolate obtuse, flowers axillary solitary, bracts 

 2 minute subulate, stamens about 6. E B. t. 292. 



Moist and occasionally inundated places, chiefly in the east of Eng- 

 land. 0. 6 — 10. — A humble annual, 4 — 6 inches high, with small 

 axillary ^ozrers. Cal-teeth all short. 



H 3 



